Wandering Eyes

Champion NZ trainer Murray Baker will aim for a 5th win in the Group 1 Underwood with The Chosen One. Caulfield Cup aspirations for The Chosen One will get another examination when the four-year-old strives to give champion New Zealand trainer Murray Baker his fifth win in the Group One Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. The Chosen One began his Melbourne spring campaign in the Group Two Feehan Stakes at The Valley where he fought on well for fifth despite racing three-wide throughout the 1600m race. He runs again in Sunday’s Underwood (1800m) and victory in the weight-for-age race would assure him a spot in next month’s $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) in which he has 52kg. Baker has won the Underwood with The Phantom (1990), Lion Tamer (2011), It’s A Dundeel (2013) and Bonneval (2017). Andrew Forsman, who has been training in partnership with Baker in recent seasons and won the Underwood with Bonneval, felt there was plenty of merit to The Chosen One’s Feehan performance, his first start since winning the Group Three Frank Packer Plate (2000m) during the Sydney autumn carnival. “He hadn’t raced for a while. He had a heap of improvement in him and he sat three-wide without cover,” Forsman said. “I thought he was entitled to weaken out of it and he stuck to his guns really well. “He’s going to be better once he gets up over a bit of ground and ridden with some cover. “It will be a pretty tough assignment and I guess we’re just hoping if we could get him into a Caulfield Cup with a light weight, I think he would be very competitive.” A day before the Underwood, the stable is set to have three-year-olds Quick Thinker and Rhaegar in the Group Three Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill in Sydney. That pair ran first and fourth respectively in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) on a wet track at Rosehill on August 31 and are on a path towards the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m). “We’re really happy with how they are,” Forsman said. “It will be a month between runs for them by the time they get back to the races and we probably don’t want too heavy a track, but they are shaping up well. “All going well if they measure up in the Gloaming they will be heading to the Spring Champion.” The post Underwood Stakes next for The Chosen One appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was back to work early Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park after Math Wizard provided him with his first grade 1 stakes victory with his 31-1 upset score in the $1,015,000 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) Sept. 21 at Parx Racing. View the full article

Trainer John Kimmel sent well-regarded juveniles Crystalle (Palace Malice), accompanied by Joel Rosario, and Famished (Uncle Mo) to train on the Belmont turf Sunday. The duo, who are expected to make their next starts in graded company, negotiated four furlongs in :50.55. It was the 13 fastest of 14 at the distance. “We gave them another maintenance half-mile,” said Kimmel. Both these horses are pretty fit. They worked in company last Sunday [4f, :48.00, 3/11, Sept. 15] and they went again in company this morning and we switched who was inside and who was outside. The dogs were far out and they went in :50 and change.” Crystalle captured Saratoga’s P.G. Johnson S. Aug. 29 at Saratoga, while Famished graduated at the upstate oval at second asking Aug. 31. Both juveniles are targeting 1 1/16-mile turf races next weekend at Belmont–Crystalle is set for Sept. 29 GII Miss Grillo and Famished will head to the GIII Pilgrim Sept. 28. “Famished looks terrific on the grass,” said Kimmel. “My thought is if we’re trying to get him to the Breeders’ Cup, it’s probably easier to get him to the Juvenile Turf than it is to the dirt race. He might actually be better on turf than dirt. We don’t know that for sure yet, but he sure looks good on it.” In regard to Crystalle, he added, “We know for sure Crystalle is better on turf. Those two breezed together on dirt a number of times and Famished annihilates Crystalle. When they breeze on the grass, they’re very compatible.” Famished, bred in Ontario by Michael C. Byrne, is among the early contenders for the $1-million Queen’s Plate, the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown at 1 1/4-miles on Tapeta at Woodbine. Kimmel indicated the Queen’s Plate is a long-term consideration for Famished. “Absolutely,” said Kimmel. “These grass horses seem to transition well to Tapeta. It will be interesting to see how he handles that surface. I think he’d run on anything, he’s such a nice horse.” The post Kimmel 2yos Ready for Fall Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland’s marathon September Yearling Sale drew to a close on Sunday, and by all accounts it built on record renewals in both 2017 and 2018 with vibrant trade beginning during the three-day Book 1 and continuing to trickle down throughout. As is the case at any top-grade yearling sale there was strong international participation at the top of the market, in particular from the Maktoum Brothers Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan. Those two men were the first and second leading buyers, having shelled out a combined $27,070,000-good enough for an eye-watering 17% of the total Book 1 aggregate and around 7% of the sale in total. Sheikh Mohammed may have experienced a rare denial for a top lot when missing out on the record $8.2-million American Pharoah filly out of Leslie’s Lady bought by Floridian businesswoman Mandy Pope, but he made up for it by taking home the four top-priced colts: a $4.1-million son of Curlin out of Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), a half-sister to this year’s G1 Investec Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}); a $2.9-million War Front colt out of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can (Proud Citizen); a $2.5-million Tapit half-brother to GI Kentucky Derby Nyquist (Uncle Mo), who stands at Darley’s Jonabell Farm; and a $2.15-million Medaglia d’Oro son of Grade I winner Tara’s Tango (Unbridled’s Song). Also playing at the top of the market were typical characters like Coolmore, Juddmonte, Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Peter Brant and Shawn Dugan buying for Al Shira’aa Stables, but a sale that sees some 3,000 horses go through the ring for as much as $8.2-million and as little as $1,000 is about so much more than the seven-figure headliners. American-breds have become a firm fixture at the European breeze-up sales in recent years, with this year alone sires like American Pharoah, Medaglia d’Oro, More Than Ready, Uncle Mo, Kitten’s Joy, War Front, Speightstown, Street Sense, Malibu Moon, Elusive Quality, and Candy Ride (Arg), as well as some lesser-known names like Competitive Edge, Daredevil, Orb, Carpe Diem, Summer Front, Shanghai Bobby, The Factor, Mineshaft, Frac Daddy, Street Boss, Super Saver and Palace Malice accounting for some top prices and successful pinhooks transatlantically. As such, the European breeze-up pinhookers were pounding the pavement in Lexington well into the four-figure lot numbers. Tom Whitehead’s Powerstown Stud signed for nine this year up from six in 2018, and it’s plain to see why. Powerstown’s 2018 pinhooks included a Malibu Moon colt bought at Keeneland for $50,000 that brought £220,000 at Doncaster, and a $55,000 Elusive Quality colt that made £110,000 at the same sale. At Arqana’s May Breeze-Up Sale, Powerstown’s $80,000 son of Summer Front (himself a son of War Front who was a multiple graded stakes winner on the turf) made €240,000, while a $37,000 son of the unheralded Medal Count turned €110,000. Powerstown pushed its ceiling slightly higher at Keeneland this year, buying nine total for an average of $60,444 and a high of $125,000 for a Distorted Humor colt (lot 720) from the family of young American sire Fed Biz. Whitehead is surely hoping lightning will strike twice after signing for another Summer Front colt, lot 2641 for $45,000, and other sires on his list included Dialed In, Orb, California Chrome, American Pharoah and Mshawish. Speaking of Mshawish, Taylor Made’s son of Medaglia d’Oro who has his first yearlings this year was himself a significant Keeneland to Europe pinhook, having been scooped by Johnny Collins of Brown Island Stables for $10,000 in 2011 before selling to Al Shaqab for €170,000 at Arqana. Mshawish went on to become a Grade I winner on both turf and dirt and stands for $15,000. He had 20 yearlings sell at Keeneland for an average of $32,935, and those included one of the three bought by Collins, lot 1774, a $60,000 colt out of the Invincible Spirit (Ire) mare Refreshing (GB) from the family of Group 1 winners Sholokhov and Soldier of Fortune (Ire). Collins also took home a colt from the third crop of Noble Mission (GB) (lot 2619) for $21,000 and a son of Munnings (lot 3178) for $30,000. That colt is out of the Galileo (Ire) mare Astorgs Galaxy (GB), a three-quarter sister to the G1 Prix Saint-Alary second Asti (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells). Brendan Holland of Grove Stud took a punt on a first-crop son of American Pharoah at Keeneland last year at $275,000, and it paid dividends at Arqana eight months later when the colt sold to MV Magnier for €1.1-million. Now named Ocean Atlantique, he was a debut winner at Saint-Cloud for Andre Fabre last week. The Indian Creek-bred was one of three bought by Holland last year and this year he upped his haul to seven. Most of those were by sires recognizable in Europe-two War Fronts, two Kitten’s Joys, a Medaglia d’Oro and a Pioneerof the Nile. Norman Williamson of Oak Tree Farm was the man behind the transatlantic pinhook of this year’s GI Preakness S. winner War Of Will (War Front), who was bought privately at Keeneland after failing to sell for $175,000 in the ring and was secured by Justin Casse and repatriated for €250,000 at Arqana. Williamson, who this year signed for a Quality Road colt for $125,000 and a son of American Pharoah for $30,000, told the TDN after War Of Will won the GIII Lecomte S. in January that unearthing a diamond in the rough, “can happen with the numbers in Keeneland, and I think this is a typical example that you can maybe afford a colt with a pedigree like him, and then he’s eligible for a worldwide market. War Of Will ended up in France and then he ended up back in America again all in the space of a few months. It shows you what can happen in the world we’re living in.” These certainly just scratch the surface of the Keeneland graduates that could wind up breezing in Europe next year, as also scouting the grounds at Keeneland were the likes of Mick Murphy and Sarah O’Connell, Mags O’Toole and Eddie O’Leary, Roger O’Callaghan, Gay O’Callaghan, Michael Fitzpatrick, Stephen Hillen, Jim McCartan, Malcolm Bastard, Justin Rea, Willie Slattery, Cian Hughes and Emmet Mullins. American-based Australian Byron Rogers was also buying to breeze in Europe. Another who has trod many miles around Keeneland over the years is trainer Robert Cowell, who was as busy as ever this year through Book 5, buying 10 yearlings. Cowell bought Pocket Dynamo (Dialed In) for $35,000 two years ago and that one nearly pulled off a true fairytale for owner Tom Morley in Royal Ascot’s G2 Norfolk S., missing by a nose to Wesley Ward’s Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby) before being sold privately to Phoenix Thoroughbreds. More on this in Tuesday’s TDN. The post Bridging The Gap: Hooked On Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Fergus Sweeney, who rode Twilight Son (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) to victory in the 2015 G1 Haydock Sprint Cup, will retire in November, he announced on Twitter Sunday evening. Sweeney is a 25-year veteran of the profession, and he also rode G1 Prix Jean Prat hero Lord Shanakill (Speightstown) early in his career. “After much thought, I have come to a decision and with a heavy heart, I have decided as of November to call time on my riding career,” said Sweeney via Twitter. “I feel the time is right and I am looking forward to the next chapter. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in the 25 years that I have been lucky enough to do the job I felt so passionately about. I am hoping that life will be as sweet out of the saddle.” The post Fergus Sweeney to Retire in November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bloom Racing Stable, Madaket Stables and Allen Racing’s Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) worked a half-mile in :49.81 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Sunday morning in advance of her upcoming start in the GII Beldame S. Oct. 5 at Belmont Park. “She just breezed perfectly this morning and so we’re headed to Belmont,” said Jeff Bloom. The winner of a trio of Grade I’s so this year, the Steve Asmussen trainee recorded wins in the June 8 GI Ogden Phipps, July 20 GIII Molly Pitcher S. and Aug. 24 GI Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga in her last three trips to post. She also won the GI Apple Blossom at Oaklawn in April. Also a Grade I winner for trainer Bill Spawr during her sophomore season, the dark bay has kicked things up a notch in 2019, winning all six starts, while earning in excess of $1.6 million so far this season. Her lifetime career earnings have surpassed the $3.2 million mark. “I think, more than anything else, she has continued to both physically and mentally mature as she has gotten older. There’s really no magic to it,” Bloom said. “We’re pretty proud of her 3-year-old campaign, but certainly she’s much better this year. Oddly enough, she seems to get better with each race, including the Personal Ensign where she battled with Elate [Medaglia d’Oro]. One would think that would take something out of her, but she was jumping out her skin after the race. She’s just really continued to grow.” Following the Beldame, Midnight Bisou will likely target the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita. She finished third in last year’s edition behind subsequent champion sophomore filly Monomoy Girl [Tapizar]. She will then go through the sales ring at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale following the Breeders’ Cup. “She’s reached a level that very few have achieved,” Bloom said. “You always strive to compete at the top level but Midnight Bisou has gone above and beyond that. Her value is hard to imagine but right now, we’re focusing on the rest of the year and trying to keep her undefeated.” The post Midnight Bisou Works Ahead of Beldame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lady TNT earned her first win of the year and the first stakes win of her career Sept. 21, upsetting the field of the $300,000 Charles Town Oaks (G3) while running wire-to-wire. View the full article

The GI Breeders’ Cup Turf is next on Old Persian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})’s agenda following his latest top-level triumph in Canada last weekend. Charlie Appleby’s charge has won nine of his 16 career starts to date–with his big-race victories including the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot, the G2 Great Voltigeur at York and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan. The 4-year-old disappointed in the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom on his return to European action, and was then a beaten favourite in the G1 Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten last month. However, he was back in the winning groove when dominating the GI Northern Dancer Turf S. at Woodbine last Saturday–and Appleby feels his charge has earned himself a trip to Santa Anita in early November. He said, “We were delighted with Old Persian, and he’s come back home in good order. The Breeders’ Cup is in our sights–that was the pencilled plan going into the Northern Dancer, and I think he deserves a crack at it now. A mile and a half on the turf at Santa Anita should suit him well.” A few days after the Breeders’ Cup has been run, Appleby will chase a second successive victory in the G1 Melbourne Cup, with last year’s winner Cross Counter (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) set to be joined by stable companion Ispolini (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Cross Counter could finish only fourth when a hot favourite for last Sunday’s G1 Irish St Leger, but Ispolini was in winning form on the same afternoon–landing the G3 German St Leger at Dortmund. “Hopefully he’ll go straight back to the Melbourne Cup now, along with Ispolini,” added Appleby. “He [Ispolini] was second to Cross Counter in Dubai earlier in the year, and ran well behind Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the Yorkshire Cup.” The post Old Persian Breeders’ Cup Bound appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

G1 St Leger runner-up Sir Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB}) is unlikely to run again this season as his connections cast eyes forward to a top staying campaign next summer. The Mark Johnston-trained colt posted a career-best effort when chasing home the unbeaten Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the final Classic of the season at Doncaster on his most recent start. With the son of Australia securing a win in the G3 Ladbrokes March S. on his penultimate start at Goodwood, which was his fifth victory this term, hopes are high that he can achieve even greater things as a 4-year-old. Charlie Johnston, son and assistant trainer, said, “He has been a very good staying 3-year-old up to a mile and three-quarters, and we hope he will stay that bit further and be a cup horse next season. I’d say he would be unlikely to run again this season.” The post Leger Runner-Up Done for the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Blue Devil Racing Stable's homebred Come Dancing lived up to her odds-on favoritism Sept. 22 and scored another graded stakes victory with ease in the $300,750 Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park. View the full article

Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) was the star attraction as members of the public got to see the brilliant mare strut her stuff on the second day of the Henry Cecil Open Weekend in Newmarket. The John Gosden trainee enjoyed a light canter up Warren Hill as she continues her preparation to bid for an historic third victory in the G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp in just a fortnight’s time. Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah, was thrilled to see so many of Enable’s many fans turn up to see her. “She really stirs the emotions, Enable, and it’s great to see so many people being enthusiastic and coming just to see her enjoying herself,” Grimthorpe told Sky Sports Racing. “She had a really nice canter up Warren Hill with her ears pricked–she’s as happy as Larry.” Enable’s preparations for Europe’s premier middle-distance contest are due to be stepped up with a gallop on the grass next week, weather permitting. Grimthorpe added, “John [Gosden] is thinking about that next week. It will depend how the rain falls, but certainly he wants to get her on the grass whatever.” The post Enable Gallops on Warren Hill on Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Quinn is hoping Liberty Beach (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) can return for a possible G1 1000 Guineas bid next spring, after confirming his G3 Molecomb S. winner will miss the rest of this season because of injury. Liberty Beach was being readied for next weekend’s G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park S. at Newmarket. But after pleasing Quinn in a midweek gallop, she was stiff the following morning–leaving the North Yorkshire trainer no option but to call time on the current campaign. Quinn said, “She worked really well on Wednesday, but then she was stiff on Thursday morning and sore behind–and she’s pulled muscles in her hindquarters. She needs three or four weeks off, so that’s the end of the year really–so we’re putting her away.” Liberty Beach was runner-up in York’s G2 Lowther S. on her most recent outing last month, to fellow Cheveley Park entry Living In The Past (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), on her first attempt beyond five furlongs. The post Injury Derails Liberty Beach for Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As a new addition to the Japanese sales calendar, the 2019 Hokkaido September Sale was by all accounts a great success, grossing ¥1,597,860,000 (US$14,933,271) with an average of ¥4,401,818 (US$41,138) and median of ¥3,456,000 (US$32,299). The clearance rate was 73.8% for the two-day sale. Kizuna (Jpn) took home the prize for siring the sale topper when his colt (lot 344) out of Venera (Jpn) sold for ¥20,628,000 (US$192,785) to North Hills. The highest-priced filly was an Orfevre (Jpn) out of Crosswater (lot 484), who was bought by Maekawa Kikaku Co., Ltd. for ¥14,040,000 (US$131,214). G1 Japanese Derby winner Kizuna’s offspring grossed more than any other stallion at the sale, bringing in ¥75,492,000 (US$705,532) with an average price of ¥12,582,000 (US$117,588) for the six lots sold. Champion 2-Year-Old Asia Express also had an excellent two days, selling 15 yearlings for ¥71,820,000 (US$671,214) with an average of ¥4,788,000 (US$44,747), the best representation of any stallion at the sale. The son of Henny Hughes’s highest-priced lot, lot 55, out of For Me (Jpn) went to Akira Nakatsuji for ¥11,880,000 (US$111,028). As almost always is the case both South Vigorous and Sinister Minister were exceedingly popular at the sales. Each grossed ¥61,776,000 (US$577,345) and ¥61,128,000 (US$571,289), respectively. South Vigorous was represented by some of his last crop, and Keiji Nagai went to ¥13,500,000 (US$126,168) for lot 335, a filly out of Feeling Good (Jpn). South Vigorous averaged ¥7,722,000 (US$72,168) while Sinister Minister averaged ¥6,792,000 (US$63,476). The final Japanese yearling sale of 2019 will be the Hokkaido Autumn Sale on Oct. 15th and 16th in Shizunai, Hokkaido. The post 2019 Hokkaido September Sale Review appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LNJ Foxwoods’ Covfefe (Into Mischief) is on target for the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 4, according to trainer Brad Cox Sunday. The flashy filly came home an impressive eight-length winner in Saturday’s Dogwood S. at Churchill Downs. Cox added that Covfefe exited the Dogwood in good shape, and will return to training in a few days. “At the beginning of the year, the [GI] Test [S. at Saratoga] was always the goal,” trainer Brad Cox said. “After we accomplished that goal, we set our sights on the Breeders’ Cup and how to get there. We figured the Dogwood was the best place to get her ready since it is in our own backyard and we didn’t have to ship anywhere. I think she’s ready for the Breeders’ Cup after that.” Covfefe smashed the Dogwood record in a final time of 1:20.51–2.51 seconds faster than LNJ Foxwoods’ 2015 winner Super Majesty (Super Saver), who stopped the teletimer in 1:23.02. The seven-furlong time was only .07 seconds off champion Groupie Doll (Bowman’s Band)’s 2012 track record of 1:20.44. “We could have easily gotten the track record but why push her when she was doing it so easily,” said Shaun Bridgmohan. “As a jockey, when you look over a horse mid-race who’s going :22 and :44, and she’s looking over to her competition like they’re nothing, you know the horse is special.” The post Covfefe to Breeders’ Cup F&M Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Makanani (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}) is the latest female success story in Singapore for Japanese-born trainer Hideyuki Takaoka, who also called the shots during the distinguished careers of Jolie’s Shinju (Jpn) (Jolie’s Halo) and fellow Singapore Derby victress Better Life (Aus) (Smarty Jones). The latter also defeated the boys in the Singapore Gold Cup, Kranji Mile and QE II Cup. Jolie’s Shinju was a three-time stakes winner in Singapore and ventured overseas to finish third in the G2 John F. Feehan S. The 5-year-old mare, a graduate of the 2015 Hokkaido Summer Yearling Sale, is the 10th stakes winner for the late Deep Impact (Jpn) (Sunday Silence)’s full-brother Black Tide (Jpn) and is out of a daughter of German champion Chesa Plana (GB) (Niniski). Her son Alkaased (Kingmambo) was the last foreign raider to win the G1 Japan Cup when besting Heart’s Cry (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) in 2005. Chesa Plana’s full-brother is G1 Prix du Cadran hero San Sebastian (GB). Click for the Singapore Turf Club chart. VIDEO. RAFFLES CUP, S$800,000 (A$858,946/£465,953/€527,344/US$581,122), Kranji (Singapore), 9-22, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.20, gd. 1–MAKANANI (JPN), 125, m, 5, Black Tide (Jpn)–Vielle Senlis by Cryptoclearance. 1ST STAKES WIN. (¥1,620,000 Ylg ’15 HOKSUM). O-Big Valley Stable; B-Maekawa Farm; T-Hideyuki Takaoka; J-Marc Lerner; S$476,000. Lifetime Record: 29-7-3-0, S$861,154. *1/2 to Logi Major (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), GSP-Jpn, $769,393. 2–Mr Clint (NZ), 128, g, 5, Power (GB)–Victoria Belle (NZ), by Zabeel (NZ). (NZ$52,500 Ylg ’16 NZBJAN; NZ$95,000 2yo ’17 NZBRTR). O-Oscar Racing Stable; B-Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan; T-Lee Freedman; S$170,000. 3–Safeer (NZ), 128, g, 5, Savabeel (Aus)–Ahna (NZ), by O’Reilly (NZ). (NZ$185,000 Ylg ’16 NZBJAN; NZ$280,000 2yo ’16 NZBRTR). O-Al-Arabiya Stable; B-Waikato Stud Ltd; T-Michael Clements; S$86,000. Margins: NO, NO, HF. Winner’s Odds: 17.60. Also Ran: Preditor (NZ), Elite Invincible (Ire), What’s New (NZ), Star Emperor (NZ), Mister Yeoh (Aus), Clarton Super (Aus), War Affair (NZ), Countofmontecristo (NZ), Eye Guy (Aus), Sun Marshal (Aus), Circuit Land, Truson (Aus). The post Japanese-Bred Mare Another Singapore Success Story for Takaoka appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Resident Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park was to the forefront of the trans-Tasman racing action on Saturday where he was represented by four individual winners on the day, including a Group Three success at Royal Randwick. The Chris Waller-trained Kolding booked himself a start in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) in a fortnight when he displayed all the toughness of his five-time Group One winning sire after fighting back to win the Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) after being headed by eventual runner-up Fierce Impact. That followed wins by Fabric over 1400m at Caulfield, Ocean Addict over 2200m at Eagle Farm while Seductress was successful over 2100m in the first race of the day at Hastings. Hong Kong-based galloper King Opie provided the icing on the cake by making it a fabulous five for Ocean Park when he took out the main race at Sha Tin, the Class 2 Pok Oi Centenary Cup Handicap (1600m). Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick was rapt with the results, particularly by the victory of Fabric who the Stud retains an ownership interest in and is trained by good mate, Danny O’Brien. “I was talking with Danny on Saturday morning and he thought Fabric was ready to run a bold race although he was concerned by the wide draw,” Chittick said. “Craig (Williams) did a great job in getting her into a good position and she really let down well in the home straight. “It was the sort of win that suggests she is capable of getting some black-type so that is what the plan for her will be. “It’s so good to see her win for Danny as he is a great mate of mine and it was a special result for the extended family as she (Fabric) is a daughter of Haberdashery who is a half-sister to Hope So, the dam of King Opie.” With nineteen individual winners since August 1, Ocean Park has made a flying start to the new racing season and Chittick believes this could be the year where the son of Thorn Park establishes himself at the very top end of the local stallion market. “He has proved that he can leave plenty of winners but just needs one or two results to go his way at the elite level,” Chittick said. “You get the feeling he is on the cusp of something big and with a smidgeon more luck he could have had one or more Group One winners already. “Another Dollar (Queensland Oaks, 2400m), Mongolianconqueror (New Zealand Derby, 2400m) and Arrogant (Rosehill Guineas, 2000m) all went within a whisker of gaining a Group One success which would have moved him into the top echelon. “With the results he is now producing I think it is only a matter of time before he gets that result and the floodgates open.” Chittick also believes that success will be due in part to trainers working out the right way to get the best out of Ocean Park’s progeny. “He (Ocean Park) was a tough bugger who thrived on hard work,” he said. “His offspring are the same and are typical of the great New Zealand thoroughbred breed – superb temperaments, durable and willing to tackle anything you throw at them. “Even in the breeding barn Ocean Park is a worker who would do more if asked. He currently has 140 mares booked for this season but that may end up even a little higher. “He will handle that comfortably and it is testament to the fantastic job he is doing, that he enjoys such strong support.” Ocean Park stands at Waikato Stud for a fee of $15,000 + GST for the 2019 breeding season. The post Ocean Park on song for Waikato Stud appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Star three-year-old filly Probabeel is on target to tackle the Gr.1 Flight Stakes at Royal Randwick on October 5 Photo: Trish Dunell A slashing run for second in Saturday’s Gr.2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick has confirmed to trainer Jamie Richards that he has exciting kiwi three-year-old Probabeel spot on for her major campaign assignment in a fortnight. Probabeel will tackle the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at the venue on October 5 with Richards delighted with how his charge came through her latest appearance. “We are very happy with her run on Saturday and she appears to have bounced through it well,” Richards said. “She left half a dipper of feed last night, which was to be expected, but she was very bright in herself this (Sunday) morning.” Jockey Kerrin McEvoy was also delighted with the run after the Savabeel filly got back on the inner in the early stages before charging home to miss victory by the barest of margins behind the Chris Waller-trained Funstar. “It was a really good run, a good last furlong,’’ McEvoy said. “Obviously another two or three hops and she gets them. “She goes out to the mile now for the Flight Stakes and it’s going to be a great race for her.” From his vantage point on course, Richards wasn’t sure about the final result as the runners hit the finish line locked together. “I wasn’t sure if we had got there, I was hoping we had, but even though we got beaten it was still a terrific effort,” he said. “She got back a little further than we had expected but hit the line powerfully which augurs well for the step up to the mile in the Flight Stakes. “She is going to be very competitive at the mile so as long as she makes the progress we think she will, it is all go for her.” Richards could be placed in a unique position for a New Zealand-based trainer on October 5 where he could line up the favourite in three Group One events, with two of those at Royal Randwick. Along with Probabeel contesting the Flight Stakes, he will also produce Te Akau Shark in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) while back in New Zealand superstar mare Melody Belle will attempt to become the first horse to win the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown when she takes on the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings. The scenario has left Richards in a minor quandary about his travel plans for the day. “It would be something quite special albeit something of a logistical challenge,” Richards said. “There is water to go under the bridge before then but we are just sorting out travel plans and the like at the moment. “Obviously the opportunity with Melody Belle is amazing. However, we need to do what is right for all the horses concerned so we will work that out in the next few days.” Richards reported that Melody Belle had come through her Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) success in fine style and had travelled home from Hastings to Te Akau Racing’s Matamata base in good order. “She looks great this morning and is a happy horse after the run,” he said. “We know just what a class mare she is and Opie (Bosson) looked after her once she got clear of them in the home straight. “She can have an easy day or two in the paddock now before we get serious about the last day at Hastings.” The post Probabeel on target for Flight Stakes appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Classy customer Vernanme races to victory at Pukekohe Photo: Race Images – Kenton Wright The Stephen Marsh and Danielle Johnson combination enjoyed a big day out at Pukekohe on Sunday with a winning treble that was highlighted by the victory of Vernanme in the Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (1600m). The Marsh stable has had a steady start to the season with just the five winners to date off the back of a record year that saw the Cambridge operation finish third on the National Trainer’s Premiership ladder with 97 victories. Darci Palmer kicked the day off well when Johnson guided him home in the fourth event on the card before promising stayer Yatima scored fresh-up over 1600m in race six. Punters were keen on the winning chances of four-year-old O’Reilly entire Vernanme in the main event of the day after he produced an eye-catching run for second behind Mac Attacka at Ruakaka late last month. Group One placed behind Madison County in the Levin Classic (1600m) during his three-year-old campaign, Vernanme has furnished into an imposing specimen over his winter break and lived up to those good looks with a sustained burst of speed over the final 300m on Sunday as he held out the stern challenges of Concert Hall and Fiscal Fantasy to record his first stakes victory and just second win from ten career starts. “It’s quite funny really, just his second career victory for a horse like him,” Marsh said. “I was saying at the 600m just sit a bit longer, don’t go too early, as he was travelling beautifully. “He’s that sort of horse as he buttons off a little bit but you wanted to be on him a fair way out.” Marsh will now lift his sights with the Kevin Hickman and Vern Trillo bred and owned galloper as he sets him for a tilt at the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (1600m) at Hastings in a fortnight. It will provide a mouth-watering clash with wonder mare Melody Belle as she attempts to become the first horse to take out the Hawke’s Bay Triple Crown after her wins in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) on the first two days of the Bostock New Zealand Spring Carnival. “He will be off to the Livamol now for sure,” Marsh said. “He’s only second up today and he looks a picture so there is no reason why he can’t go on to bigger and better things. “We’ve given him a good spell and he’s come back better, so he is a Cups horse in the making.” Johnson was taken by the ease of the win after enjoying an armchair ride on the race favourite. “It’s pretty easy when they race like that,” she said. “He’s a good horse and I know he’d only won a maiden mile before today but he’s put his hand up today. “I wanted to sit on him as long as possible and although I saw Concert Hall coming on his outside, I never thought we were in trouble as he has fought and found when he has seen her.” Vernanme is out of the five-race winner Bohemian Blues and is a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Shamrocker and Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Rock Diva. The post Vernanme takes Pukekohe feature appeared first on BOAY Racing News. View the full article

Raging Whiskey became the first black-type winner for Bourbon Courage when he wired the field to win the Sept. 21 Capote Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course. View the full article

Meru followed up a dazzling debut on July 13 with another victory on Saturday at Monmouth Park, cruising to a 3 1/4-length victory in the $75,000 Smoke Glacken Stakes. View the full article

Michael Stinson's King Jack picked up his first graded stakes score in style Sept. 21, winning the $310,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) at Parx Racing by 1 1/2 lengths. View the full article

Raging Whiskey became the first black-type winner for Bourbon Courage when he wired the field to win the Sept. 21 Capote Stakes at Los Alamitos Race Course. View the full article

Rallying from behind a furious pace, Street Band closed down the center of the track under Sophie Doyle to win the Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing over favored Guarana. View the full article

Harold Lerner, AWC Stables, and Nehoc Stables' Pat On the Back earned the first, hard-fought graded stakes win of his career Sept. 21, fending off a late challenge in deep stretch in the $300,000 Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park. View the full article

Stephanie Seymour Brant's Significant Form racked up a fourth graded stakes win Sept. 21 in the $200,000 Noble Damsel (G3T) at Belmont Park under a perfectly timed ride by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. View the full article